The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, housed in this building, will move into new offices in Detroit. / ANDRE J. JACKSON/Detroit Free Press

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The Detroit Media Partnership, which oversees the business functions of the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News, announced today that it and both news organizations will move their headquarters into more modern office space in the city that will better serve publishing needs in a digital age.

The current building, a 1917 structure at 615 W. Lafayette Blvd. that was designed by Albert Kahn, its parking garage and adjacent lots will be put up for sale. Even if a buyer is not found immediately, the companies plan to move ahead with relocating to save costs on maintaining the nearly 100-year-old building.

The DMP intends to sign a long-term lease and relocate in the next 12-18 months. Downtown Detroit is the “preferred location,” but buildings in adjacent areas, such as Midtown, are also possibilities, Joyce Jenereaux, president of the partnership, said in a news release.

“We see great things happening in Detroit, and fully intend to be a part of that,” she said.

The DMP, Free Press and News employ about 1,500 people, including 600 downtown, and that number would not change as part of the move, according to a news release from the DMP.

Newspaper companies across the country have been making similar moves as the industry has changed from a print-centered business to one focused increasingly on digital products, such as freep.com. The Free Press has seen rapid digital growth as it delivers information to desktops, mobile sites, iPhone and iPad apps, social media, newsletters and news alerts, and the e-Edition. It also publishes newspapers every day.

“This is a great opportunity to find efficient, up-to-date space in Detroit’s core – which, more than ever, is the heartbeat of our region and state,” said Free Press Editor and Publisher Paul Anger. “Our new offices will reflect current and future needs – something designed for a newsroom that publishes on so many digital platforms.”

The current building was constructed primarily as a newspaper printing plant, but that function was moved to a Sterling Heights facility more than 40 years ago. The building has been retrofitted periodically as publishing needs changed.

The building’s original occupant was the Detroit News. The DMP moved there in 1989 and the Free Press in 1998. The Free Press is owned by Gannett.

The building sale and the search for a new facility are being handled by the Southfield office of CBRE, a commercial real estate specialist.